substitution
sub-sti-TOO-shun
/ˌsʌbstɪˈtuːʃən/
The act of replacing one player with another during a game.
Often used strategically to bring in fresh legs, change tactics, or waste time at the end of a match.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'sub' (under/in place of) and 'statuere' (to set up). It literally means to set someone up in the place of another.
Word relationships
- replacement: Replacement is a general term; substitution is the formal procedure in sports rules.
- retention: Retention is keeping the same players on the field.
Commonly confused with
- rotation: Rotation is a long-term strategy of changing the starting lineup over several games; substitution happens within one game.
Word family
- substitute (verb/noun): To put in place of another; a person who acts in place of another.
Collocations
- make a substitution
- tactical substitution
- late substitution
- substitution board
Example sentences
- "The manager made a double substitution in the 70th minute to add more pace to the attack." Soccer
- "Frequent substitutions kept the team's energy levels high throughout the high-tempo game." Basketball
Memory hook
A 'sub' goes 'under' the radar to take the place of a starter. The swap.
When not to use
In sports, don't use 'replacement' when 'substitution' is the official term.
Fun facts
- In the early days of soccer, substitutions were not allowed at all; if a player was injured, the team simply played with ten men.
Explore more words
substitute, replacement, rotation, tactic, accessory, understudy
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